Working cover for my latest book Here’s something new to share and a bit unexpected. I have two more chapters left in my Forever Poland book. Originally started at the end of last April, I wrote the first 50,000 words before taking a break in the summer to focus on summer camp, of all things. Fast forward to writing the follow-up to Rusty Star, which, by the way, is free if you are looking for a mystery book, and since the beginning of February, I have been busy typing away at the remaining chapters of Forever Poland. True to every book I write, the writing process has been different, but for the most part, I have written at least 1500 words a day for the last six weeks. For that matter, the fewest words in one evening were 1000, and that was this past Friday, because of the ridiculous drumming outside the apartment building to mark another night of feasting here in Tangier. Don’t worry, I’ll blog about that sensation and the jerk who decided to almost hit me while crossing the sidewalk the other day. Maybe I’ll also add the story about the van I stared down and pointed with my umbrella when he decided he wanted to cut around a parent picking up their child. Oh yes, it’s Ramadan here in Morocco, and people are doing fabulous with their fasting and clearly looking out for the betterment of others. Again, we’ll break down that fun at a later date. To celebrate the fact that I’m almost done with Forever Poland, here’s an excerpt from my latest chapter. Do enjoy, and I’ll be in touch soon. Excerpt from Forever Poland Krakow's Most Beautiful House Shifting all the way back to August, I set out on several early morning runs to explore the city and get a feel for any area that might be worth a trip when the sun was actually out. Sure, many of my future haunts were in the direction of Dębniki or Błonia, but the Vistula River goes in the other direction as well. For one run, I wanted to see what was past Galeria Kazimierz, as it was clear the running and biking path went on for a bit, but to what end? Cruising along Bulwar Kurlandzki, I was immediately taken by the water, the trees, and, for that matter, the grass and fields. There were intermittent benches and places to pause for reflection. Without much effort, it felt like I was already in a quieter spot of the city. What I didn’t notice initially was that this new running route was a mixed-use area. The cycling and walking paths were separated, which was a plus, until they weren’t again, and that was a chore depending on who decided to stop and take random photos. Then again, it was a very scenic wooded route and even served as a cross-country trail whenever snow decided to blanket the area. If I could complain for a bit about how many times the route was blocked by some idiot on their cell phone with their bike in the middle of the trail, we would be here for a while. Yes, that strikes a nerve, but not anywhere as much as the dog walkers who seemed oblivious to the fact that this is a shared trail. I’ll admit, I should have carried dog bones with me, but then again, why the locals walk their dogs on sixty-foot leashes remains one of Poland’s mysteries to me. On not one, but multiple runs in this area, I made it a point to be out before five, simply because I wanted it all for myself. It appears I wasn’t the only one, because this old timer and his German Shepherd with a Hannibal Lector muzzle were always out at the same blasted time and on the same stretch closest to the river. I tried to avoid them by leaving a few minutes earlier and later, but this section of bliss was too long, and the universe clearly wanted us to have frequent interactions or for me to give up and find a different loop. I’m not kidding. Our first introduction happened when it was still dark. I didn’t even know there was anyone on the trail, but as I came down off the incline into the meadow, I could make out a figure, most likely a walker. There was no doubt, but other than that, my angle was off, because I could barely make out a bench, and this figure was coming towards me. What do I know, but this guy’s massive dog was taking his jolly old time, likely just rolling around in the grass, waiting for the right moment to pounce and drive me into the waters of the Vistula. Things didn’t play out that way because, in this case, this Shepherd must have been dozing, and who knows what the old man was doing, but I startled them both. I jumped when the dog yelped. I might have even screamed like a little girl, and having Rin Tin Tin on such a long rope was ridiculous. The leash was for show because I knew if the dog bolted, he was either going to rip the old man’s arm off or take it with him. I watched the beast make his gesture towards me, clearly ready to taste an American teacher, but the guy made a simple nudge, and the attack was held off. Did he still growl at me? Did I come to a full stop and put out my hand, hoping for the best? Absolutely, but it was nerve-wracking, especially since I could barely make them out. We met up three to four more times because I decided I couldn’t handle the potential one time this animal broke loose. Muzzle or not, he was going to kick my ass, and I wasn’t ready for that to happen. What I wanted instead, after yet another showdown with more snarling, and the old man oblivious to “good morning,” was a means to continue my run along the river, but with less stress. I certainly didn’t want to run on the cyclist path and deal with those maniacs. That’s when I spotted what looked like a derelict barge on the other side of the river, and I wondered what route I needed to take in order to explore that area. As the sun rose in the east, I spotted a runner. Most certainly, I knew they could have done a huge loop, turned at the church in the woods, and then cut down. However, they managed to find that spot. I was committed to leaving this future crime scene behind and, funnily enough, traveling to a different one. I’m not sure if it was in late September or October, but I know it was well before my travels took over what felt like every weekend, where I sought out this very spot. Of course, I went out in the middle of the day on a Sunday. Let me share: if the goal is to avoid people, don’t go out in Kraków on Sunday, especially not on a nice, sunny one. No one stays home. Granted, I get it. Once November shows up and the sun decides to disappear for three to four months, one has to take what they get. Then again, for every local who told me, “Just wait, the summer is beautiful here,” it seemed they had missed the fact that every season has its advantages. For an introvert, bring on the clouds and mixed precipitation, because unlike a sunny Sunday, families come up with alternatives to their long walks through the city and to any patch of grass along the river. Note, I’m not complaining here, but pointing out that this is the reality of life in Kraków. So on this magical Sunday when the temperatures shot up to a balmy seventy degrees, I wasn’t alone even when I hoped to be. Trust me, I went on a roundabout loop to get to this barge with a good exploration of the area after I spotted the familiar tour buggies and the troop of people gawking and waiting for their chance to get into Schindler’s Factory. Everyone is playing tourist on Sunday, and those who aren’t are probably young families out for a walk and some ice cream. I remember cutting along Jana Dekerta, passing the athletic field where a kid’s soccer match was underway, and thinking to myself, "This explains the random ghosts on various buildings in town." Others are trying to scare people from visiting. Zabłocie wasn’t overwhelmed with families, but more like the university students who were now only waking up and trying to figure out what they were going to eat, before swarming the river’s edge. Still, it was bearable, and I was committed to getting to this barge. Next, I was walking past Park Stacja Wisła, which is actually quite lovely and an easy jump over to Bulwar Lotników Alianckich, where the creepy vibes begin. In the early morning hours, this entire stretch is sketchy. It’s not from the dog walkers either, but just the energy between the fact that the paved area looks like a place you would find people taking their car to drop trash or a body. It’s one or the other. The running trail directly above feels off to me, too. I’m not talking about the unevenness of it all. Then again, if you want to run underneath a bridge and get that whole hitting your head vibe, or check out the latest graffiti, this might be your best chance to do just that in this area. Granted, it could also just be that I know in the opposite direction; this path got swallowed up by the construction. It could be better now with the railroad bridge finished, and yet, even on my last visit, as I walked this familiar route, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I just can’t figure out whether the boat landing is actually in use or is a stand-in for some nefarious activity. Not even out for a run but walking this route, I have yet to see a boat tie up and pick up any passengers, even though there is a glut of watercraft farther down the river, in direct proximity to Wawel Castle. Why the dock and the mooring bollards? A little farther down is where the real fun begins, honestly. One would need to be blind not to see the wanna be crack house on the river’s edge with the boats rusting away in its not-so-well-manicured yard. I never took the time to learn whether this building, or what was left of it, was the headquarters for the old shipping fleet, or whatever owned and managed these barges and boats that had seen far better days. I wanted to check out the boat, the same one I spotted across the river, but first I had to deal with the fact that this boarded-up house and a half-ass fence kept me from accomplishing my goal. Hearing several voices and noticing through the fence that at least two people were exploring the same area, I cut through the grass and towards the river’s edge. It seemed the least suspect way of entering this fray, not to mention the closer I got to the house, I was one hundred percent sure some squatter or squatters on a drug binge were going to be racing out the one open window or door where the boards were half removed or cast aside entirely. Maybe someone was living there, or maybe people were using it as a drug den. I didn’t dare go inside, knowing that my luck would run out faster than me removing the muzzle from that Shepherd. No, it made more sense to trek through the rusted remains of a boat graveyard wearing nothing but a t-shirt and shorts, seeing if my Tetantus shot was up to date. The two other explorers were already on the old boat by the time I found a clear route into the back area. As I watched them climb around that corroded bucket and make their way to the wheel of the ship, I had no interest in joining them. I was already likely trespassing, just like these two men, and didn’t see how joining them and pretending we were buddies on a fishing trip would improve my situation. No, it was far easier to cut across the yard to the second boat, a far more decayed structure with some serious oxidation issues, but easier to climb onto and enjoy the view of the river. My plan seemed good until I spotted a man and a woman beating me to it. Thinking they would be quick and then return to their walk, I looked at the rear of the boat, already spraypainted to the nines, and kept meandering towards the water to make it appear that I wasn’t hoping to join in on the fun. In true, this can only happen to me, fashion, I looked out across the river, probably a hundred feet from that rust bucket, and marveled at the crowds of people lining the beach and the very route where the Shepherd roamed. Delighted that I was correct in my assessment, aside from the crackhouse, this seemed to be a far superior spot. Then again, the animal sounds coming from the boat told me that three was a crowd. The fact that I caught a glimpse of the blonde woman’s head disappearing beneath the rails made me wonder. Where her partner went, I didn’t stay long enough to figure out, but I did look back long enough to see what remained of that cabin shaking. Hopefully, they were both up to date on their shots. As for my new spot that also served as a lover’s nest, I can share that it was the only time I saw or heard any of that funky stuff going on. When the winter weather came, all that remained was the sketchy house and the bones of each boat. Call it a sunny Sunday that caused the riffraff or bored locals to come out to play, but on future visits, the place was all mine. Last time I checked, I believe the building has been razed, but the boats remain, a reminder of the city’s glorious past on one of Poland’s great rivers. Then again, for me, it was simply a more unusual, yet quieter, off-the-beaten-path location to enjoy, that didn’t entail me walking toward Wawel Castle, taking the balloon ride, or seeing which dogs were going to have their way with me across the river…..
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Here’s some exciting news to share — the follow-up to Rusty Star is ready for your eyes. Double Cross is out now. Check out the description below and grab your copy. The book is available in ebook and paperback formats. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Rusty Star is currently $0.99 for the next few weeks. Enjoy both books, and as always, I’d love to hear what you think. Three ghosts. Two murders. One man running out of second chances.Haunted by the death of the woman he loved, former Navy investigator Russell Stokes is barely holding it together when an old service friend drags him into the cold. Tommy Delaney is wanted for a brutal double murder in northern New Hampshire—and he insists he’s innocent. Heading north, Stokes finds more than he bargained for: a town that guards its secrets, a trail of blood, and a plea from his former mentor, Rear Admiral Radner, to find Grace—the missing daughter of Stokes’s estranged former commanding officer, whose actions forced him to resign his commission. As the murders and Grace’s disappearance twist together, Stokes is forced to confront loyalty, guilt, and corruption in ways he never imagined. Every choice tests his conscience, every lead reveals a betrayal, and every step brings him closer to the truth—and to the ghosts he can’t outrun. Double Cross: A Stokes Case Novel is a gripping, fast-paced New England thriller of loss, redemption, and the thin line between justice and obsession. With my escape to England now complete, it only makes sense to share a proper description for my new Russell Stokes book. Let's be clear now, this description is simply a preview for the upcoming book that will be out in spring 2026. I still have to send it off to my copy editor before I can schedule the actual release date. The greater question is does this book interest you? Have you read the first book in the series, because if you haven't that's where we first meet Russell and see the events that immediately lead to Double Cross. I know I'm tooting my own horn, but it's honestly worth a look. As for the new book, I think it's the best one I've written out of the twenty one books composed over the years. Double Cross: A Stokes Case #2 |
Meet Mr. Jon- a traveler at heart who loves a good story and walk. Jonathan has over twenty years experience in independent publishing. While he prides himself on crafting a good story, nothing truly beats an adventure and a camera. Archives
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